This kit is targeted for a fifth generation ('92-'95) Honda Civic due to its balance of modern safety features (like an airbag) and light weight.
When looking for a donor vehicle for this open-source kit, you must satisfy the following requirements:
must be a '92-'95 model year
must have an S20 5-speed manual transmission
must not be a hatchback or DelSol configuration of car
air-conditioning is not supported with this kit, so it will be removed if it exists
look for a car with a newer clutch and transmission
while the engine doesn't need to run, it's good to have a running engine to test out the transmission and have an easy means of getting the car to the shop for a suspension upgrade or to your garage
Make sure the car has good brakes and hasn't sustained body damage from a crash. A bent frame can prevent the battery racks from going in properly.
All subsystems except the engine should be in good condition, or you'll be spending a lot of extra money to fix up things.
If you can find a Civic with manual steering (rare?), you won't have to go through the hassle of replacing the steering rack or modifying the power-steering to a manual type. Having a power steering pump saps energy from the battery that reduces your range. (Thanks Rob C. for the comment)
Although not absolutely required, It is also a good idea to get a car with a light-colored exterior, depending on where you will be operating the car. Without air-conditioning, a white car will be noticeably more comfortable in the summer than a dark-colored one. Good paint jobs are expensive.
A good places to look for used '92-'95 Civic is on www.craigslist.org for your area. The listings are free and many new listings for Civics pop up every week.
Licensed under the TAPR Open Hardware License (www.tapr.org/OHL)
Copyright 2008 Tim Kutscha